Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is aimed at Topic Editors hosting a Frontiers Research Topic, eligible for a Research Topic eBook.
If you cannot find your question answered here, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Is the eBook free?
Yes! Preparing the eBooks is free of charge and will be available to download for free on the Research Topic page. However, if you want printed copies, see our Print on Demand service.
How do I pick a suitable cover image?
Go for content that will fit our eBook template, meets our Technical Requirements and check that the image copyright allows for reprint . We have guidelines and examples available on our Cover Image page.
Do I have to use the Research Topic title for the eBook title?
You are free to modify the eBook title slightly, as long as there are no major changes.
Can I provide an image for the intro pages?
Yes, as long as the correct image credit is provided and you have obtained the necessary permissions. If you provide an image, we will place this on the introductory pages.
Any third-party elements provided need to comply with the eBook’s CC BY license. The Frontiers Copyright Statement has more info regarding our copyright licensing conditions.
There are image databases (like Pixabay, Unsplash or Stocksnap) where stock photos are available for free under CC0 licenses or similar. Even if your image can be used under CC0, please still provide us with the image credit.
What is an introductory text?
The Introduction to the eBook:
is a short preface to the eBook, less detailed than the Editorial
has no word limit (but keep it reasonably short and concise)
is not mandatory but advisable as it will be used as a description of the book in external repositories, Google Books, etc.
You are welcome to use the Overview text available on the Research Topic page. You might need to modify or update it so that it doesn't sound like the Call for Papers.
Please note the Editorial should not mention eBook - it should refer to the Research Topic, not the eBook (which comes later).
Where can I find a list of my articles?
In the initial email we have sent you, we provided a list of all the Research Topic articles at the bottom of the email. You can also look on the Research Topic page and sort the article by Views, Type and Date.
How should I sort my articles?
Feel free to arrange the articles as you wish. We encourage you to create chapters, sections and subsections (or any combination of these) when arranging the order of the RT articles in the Table of Contents.
Do I get to see a proof before the eBook goes online?
Yes. Once the proof is ready, we will send the first pages (cover, introduction and Table of Contents) to you for your approval (or corrections) before we publish the eBook online.
How long will it take for our eBook to be published online?
Once the Editorial is published, it can take a minimum of 7 to 11 weeks for the eBook to be published online.
Where will my book be available? In what formats?
All Research Topic eBooks are available on the Research Topic page in PDF and EPUB.
The eBooks are also deposited to Crossref, Google Books, and DOAB.
Will you notify all the contributing authors from the Research Topic?
Yes, once the eBook is published, all the contributing authors will be notified.
Can I distribute and share my eBook?
Yes, you are free to distribute and share the eBooks files. Frontiers eBooks are under a CC-BY license, which means you can share and adapt as long as appropriate credit is given. So you can host the eBook on your personal website, send it to friends and colleagues, share it on social media, etc.
Read more about it on the Frontiers Copyright Statement page, or ask us if you have any doubts.
How can I cite my eBook?
All our eBooks are assigned an ISBN and DOI. If you need these before publication, please contact us.